VPN: The Purpose and Reasons To Use It

Due to encryption and security, VPN stands as one of the most efficient alternatives to staying anonymous and secure from the malware and, especially, trojans, which infect all visible members of a standard network.

Defining VPN

If you are, at least, slightly interested in cyber security, you may have noticed occasional discussions about VPN connection. Naturally, you may question what is it and how does it contribute cyber security.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network[1]. It functions as the specific network which grants an encrypted and secure connection to the Internet solely to the members of that specific network.[2] Users gain anonymity in contrast to those, who use the standard connection and remain visible to other actors of the global cyberspace.[3] At the moment, netizens can choose from a variety of free and paid VPNs.

Virtual Private Network and online privacy

It may be highly useful for online shoppers who prefer keeping their shopping history private. Furthermore, this specific network allows public activists to conceal their identity. This network might be a solution to netizens, who wish to conceal their identity while browsing online from online advertisers, who instantly bombard you with customized ads.[4]

Due to these very factors, VPN is highly popular among Tor browser users, and more specifically, cyber villains. The success of computer viruses, specifically, ransomware highly depends on this factor. The access to certain secret web pages is impossible without using certain VPN.

But what about the drawbacks of VPN?

Due to encryption and security, VPN stands as one of the most efficient alternatives to staying anonymous and secure from the malware and, especially, trojans, which infect all visible members of a standard network.

However, everything has its weakness, so does VPN. Mobile VPN users face the main issue. Since the number of mobile users in contrast to standalone computers is rapidly growing, mobile virtual private networks may not be as safe as the ones designed for PCs

The research conducted by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization revealed, that 18% of analyzed 283 VPN applications available on Google Play store created only a partially secure “channel” to the Internet, but failed to encrypt the connection, exposing netizens to the entire virtual community.[5]

The findings also emphasized the common truth that what is free or cheap rarely possesses quality. The same applies to VPNs. If cyber security is of value to you, you should opt for a more expensive, but well-known virtual network. Likewise, the risk to suffer from troublesome outcomes of a cyber assault significantly decreases.

Meet Linas Kiguolis, the founder and chief editor of TecoReviews. His interests in latest modern technologies, cyber security, social media led him to study Applied Computer Sciences and Business Informatics. Merging the acquired theoretical knowledge and his passion for IT gadgets shaped TecoReviews. As for the free time, Linas finds peace of mind in immersing himself in robotics and Capoeira sport.